Chapter 5: The New Council

Moon, Sarah, Zelda, Link, and Bayonetta all reappeared inside of Palutena's temple. Upon their return, the other heroes swarmed over them.

"It's nice to see that you are okay." Mewtwo said, mostly looking at Zelda "I was worried that fighting Link would be a bit much for you to handle."

"You rescued Bayonetta as well?" Meta Knight asked. "I thought you said we should make our attacks random...currently, you've rescued some of the pretty powerful competitors."

"She just kind of...showed up with Link." Sarah explained. "We weren't expecting her to just...appear."

"Speaking of which." Bayonetta said suddenly, glaring at Dark Pit. "You've violated one very major rule that Palutena set in place for you...you are supposed to remain loyal to our cluster, I don't care how many chances Palutena has given to you...you're as good as dead." She pointed both of her guns at him before they were suddenly yanked from her grasp and into Moon's.

"Sorry Bayo." he growled. "But Dark Pit was working as a double agent, he could have sent the villains out into the Multiverse without the heroes to protect it, but he didn't, he hasn't violated any laws."

Bayonetta's eyes narrowed from behind her thin glasses. "Very well then." she said with a hint of disappointment. "But may I ask you too not call me Bayo...that's only for close associates of mine."

"I'll be willing to see that through, given that you, and everyone else, can do me a favor."

"You still want a favor?" King Dedede asked. "Haven't we given you enough kid?"

"He's not asking for much." Dark Pit said, crossing his arms and leaning against a wall. "He's just trying to make sure we follow the stupid legal arrangements that Palutena set up." everyone looked at him. "Frankly, he has a right to worry, Palutena's been looking for any reason to remove him and Sarah from existence."

"Remove them from existence?" Paula asked in shock. "Why? They haven't done anything wrong!"

"We weren't sure, the council has decided that the two of you being here is okay." Samus said. "However, now that we know that him and her are the children of Giygas, she's just doing it out of paranoia at this point."

"Not exactly." Bayonetta said earning her a look from everyone. "Palutena isn't doing it out of paranoia, she has a personal hatred for the two of you. I was sent to this cluster to hunt for corrupt angels, and since I arrived, I have kept tabs on her."

"Do you mind telling us why?" Link asked. "Because I've been getting really sick of the constant meetings we've had on them."

"Touching." Bayonetta said slyly. "But Palutena is entitled to her privacy. Plus, if I were to tell you, she'd send me back to where I came from."

"I'd be pretty damn interested to know why she has it out for them." Captain Falcon growled. "Considering that those reasons are what kept pulling us away from our hunt on Ridley."

"Moving on!" Moon said loudly. "Listen, Sarah and I have that problem to worry about, lord knows Palutena won't be fond of any of this. So, we need to follow her laws and do what is necessary to make sure we don't all get into trouble. With that being said, we need a leader, in order to choose a leader, we need a council, to have a council, we need ten smash competitors...so, given that there are ten of you here now, we need you all to form a council, and vote for me as the leader."

"Why exactly are you getting to be leader?" Samus asked.

"Who's the reason you aren't still under corruption? Who's the one that's rescuing everyone? Who's the one that has a plan?" Sarah asked. "Because it sure as hell isn't any of you."

"We get it kid." Snake muttered. "Let's just get this over with quickly."

Dark Pit and Viridi led them down a hallway into a room where a large table sat in the middle, twelve chairs were placed around the outside with one at the head of the table. Once everyone had sat down Dark Pit cleared his throat.

"So," he said. "Given how this is the first time that we've ever had to do something like this, we might as well follow standard procedures. This will be a vote that is decided on our opinions based on what we hear from the person presenting an issue. Moon...what exactly are we going to vote on?"

Moon pulled out the Demonrift and quickly flipped through it, after a moment of him scanning through one page he closed the book.

"All in favor of transferring all power and decisions the council usually makes into my own hands which will thereby give me Palutena's powers and role here in Skyworld, as well as placing me in charge over the Multiverse until I deem this situation over, please raise your hand."

Everyone, with the exception of Sarah, looked at him in shock. For a minute, they all just sat there in silence. After that, Zelda slowly raised her hand, earning her a look from everyone.

"Princess, with all due respect." Moon said flatly. "Just because the Triforce said something about me, doesn't mean that you have to do it. If you truly believe that what I'm asking for is ridiculous, then-"

"I'm not doing this because the Triforce of Wisdom told me to." Zelda said, looking him in the eye. "You've proven yourself to be very knowledgeable and dependable. Despite all the hardships you may face that we could never understand, you've done the right thing. I truly believe in your ability to do this."

Moon kind of just stared into eyes with a sort of...dazed look. In a weird sort of way, Zelda felt like he was looking different than normal. His eyes actually showed a softness that she had never seen. Eventually, the boy blinked back into existence.

"Well...thanks Zelda." he said. "But...you're still only one vote...we need at least six."

Mewtwo raised his own hand, followed by Link.

"Guys, come on, Zelda is right." the Pokemon said, looking down the table. "Moon is more than capable of handling this, and I think he's built himself to be someone we can trust." Link nodded in agreement.

Meta Knight's gray gloved hand went up next. "Sire, you might as well do it." he said calmly. "The boy can do this, he's been truthful, and you know Kirby would vote for him as well." King Dedede let out a sigh before raising his hand.

Bayonetta's hand went up next. "Ah, what the hell," she said. "You certainly to sound like a better fucking leader than Palutena...or any of us...would ever be."

"Language please." Link muttered, this is supposed to be for good boys and girls remember Bayonetta?"

"Not here," Sarah whispered to Moon. "This story is rated T for a reason."

Snake, Samus, and Captain Falcon all raised their hands as well. "Eh what the hell." Samus said. "Douglas and I are used to taking orders from that goddess, and honestly, if we had to vote on EVERY decision we made, that'd get a bit repetitive and boring."

"That leaves you Dark Pit." Moon said. "I know it's nine to one...but I'll let you make your case."

"No need," the angel said, raising his hand. "Just, let Viridi and I talk to you and Sarah in private."

"Well, that's ten." Paula said. "A unanimous vote...what now?"

"Well, we can all rest up." Moon said slowly. "I think tomorrow we'll head out to find Rosalina."

"Rosalina can be found in the arena that's modeled after her spaceship in the sector bases for the Basidiomycota cluster." Meta Knight said. "I can see that you are clearly sticking away from heroes that villains would be sticking close to...though, I'm very surprised you didn't run into Ganon when going after Link."

"Anything...concerning we should know about?" Moon asked.

"Not really." King Dedede said. "But I think Bowser's been complaining' bout some objects disappearing then reappearing somewhere else...almost like someone is...redecorating. Also said something bout some feathers and finding a bullet as well."

"Alright, good to know." Moon said. "Paula, you're back with us tomorrow. As for the rest of you, no need to do anything, the council is disbanded until further notice since it's power is now in my hands, you all are dismissed. Sarah, you stay with me."

Everyone except for Dark Pit and Viridi exited the room once the door had closed the angel and goddess of nature turned to the two of them.

"Kid, I don't know what the actual hell you think you're doing." Dark Pit said.

"I'm simply just putting myself in charge...nothing wrong with that." Moon said coolly.

"Oh, you placed yourself in charge alright." Viridi shouted. "OF LITERALLY EVERYTHING!"

"I fail to see how this is a problem." Sarah said dully. "We said that Moon should be in charge of this whole operation."

The angel and goddess of nature both frowned. "We said we'd support your crazy antics." Dark Pit said. "But THIS? You two are playing with fire! You just used everyone to do something so insane, so ridiculous, so uncalled for! Palutena is going to murder you two when she finds out!"

Moon chuckled. "That, my good angel, was completely legal...I followed all of that bitchy goddess' rules. I didn't use corruption to manipulate anyone, I told them exactly what they were voting for, AND they all did it willingly. I played by the rules...now I'm in charge legally, and there's not a damn thing she can do about it."

Viridi and Dark Pit both rubbed their heads. "Come on, you two know that you're messing with stuff that shouldn't be messed with, whatever war you guys are trying to start...you aren't going to win it...it'll take a miracle to do that."

"Listen, if you two are getting jumpy, you can always pull out of our deal." Moon said. "Just...remember what's on the line for you if you do."

Dark Pit looked at Viridi. "Listen, Moon." Viridi said. "We get that you don't like Palutena, it's the whole reason why you came to Skyworld, but...what you're doing is...ridiculous! You can't win against Palutena"

"A wise, funny man once said, 'It's not about winning! It's about sending a message!' even if Moon and I fail. I think that goddess will get the message."

"Funny...Palutena used to say the same thing during Smash Ultimate." Dark Pit said.

"Listen, we do like you two, but, now that you're safe from any of Palutena's actions and have free reign over our technology, can you please uphold your end of the bargain before you look for...whatever it is you're looking for?"

Moon and Sarah looked at each other uncomfortably.

"Sure...we could try and find something." Moon said. "Do you have an idea as to where we could start?"

"Not really...you could try looking through old documentations for the Smash cuts, all were approved by her, there might be something there.

Smash cuts were, if I remember. Mewtwo, Roy, Lonk, and Pichu for Brawl. Then the Ice climbers, Wolf, Snake, Lonk, & Pichu from Smash Duel...right?"

"Yeah...that's right." Dark Pit said.

"Alright, we'll get looking...goodnight you two." The angel and goddess of nature walked out of the room. When they had left, Moon opened the Demonrift and flipped through it. The book started moving on its own, flipping to the front where the following was listed

Missing competitors

Brawl:

Mewtwo: No show, Invite was sent.
Roy: Denied, Reason N/A

Pichu: Denied for Health concerns

Young Link: Denied for potential timeline concerns.

Smash Duel:

Ice Climbers: Banned for Illegal Teaming

Pichu: Denied for Health concerns

Young Link: Denied for potential timeline concerns.

Snake: No show, Invite was sent

Wolf: Denied, Reason N/A

"Something's wrong...I can feel it." Sarah said. "Like, Pichu's and Lonk's reasons make sense, but the rest...what the hell is up with that?"

Moon nodded, the two made their way over to Skyworld's Central Control and opened the file on Imperium before opening the file about tournaments. At the very top of the page for Brawl and Duel, a file was labeled

Missing Competitors.

One click later and another log file came up.

It goes without saying that these tournaments must be fair, balanced, safe, and family friendly. However, not all competitors are worthy to be here if they won't follow the rules. I know the council won't pass these by...but then again, it's not like I have to say the honest reason.

Mewtwo (Not Invited): Honestly, what did the Master hand see in this FREAKSHOW! This Pokemon is evil beyond a doubt! He shouldn't be in these tournaments. I know the council won't see it fit to remove him, he's much to popular with the audience, but...what if his invite just...never showed?

Popo & Nana (Removed for Incest): These two children are just a pain in the (censored) with their stupid two on one mechanic, who the hell legalized that? I guess I could potentially pass off as they are two people of similar strength, the Pikmin give Olimar his power while Luma's have different strength compared to my- er...Rosalina. Or maybe I can just file a not so family friendly reason on them and send them this in place to cover it up.

"Excuse me but what the fuck!?" Sarah nearly shouted. "

Moon opened the Demonrift and quickly scanned through it. After a moment of just staring at the page in shock, he cleared his throat and read.

"Popo and Nana are two twelve year old children who hail from the R.D.U. They spend their time climbing mountains together to reach the top. They have the power to control ice winds thanks to a special bond gift given to the two of them by the Master Hand. They fight together and are pretty good as well. They can pass off multiple grabs at once, known as 'Wobbling' They may not be the strongest or most well versed, but this inseparable loving couple, who are often mistaken for siblings, will always have each other's back! In a fight, separate Nana from Popo to take them on one at a time."

"So...she lied about the reasons Mewtwo and the Ice Climbers were barred from the tournaments? Why would she do that?"

"Just out of spite apparently." Moon said, looking back at the two log entries.

"Well...this is great! We have dirt on her!"

"It's not enough." Moon said calmly. "Two false accusations for denial in the competition isn't enough...the most this will do is anger Mewtwo and the Ice Climbers. We need something bigger...much bigger...Something shocking that would reveal a giant scandal."

Sarah let out a sigh before vomiting a black essence. Moon handed her a bottle of light blue liquid which she slowly drank.

"But...she hasn't been in control." Sarah cried after finishing the bottle. "I swear Moon...I haven't let her out!" he quickly wrapped her in a hug and held her close.

"I know you haven't." he said calmly. "Maybe they've advanced further than last time. Perhaps to a point where corruption spreads without them in control. Let's take this as a sign to just rest, we shouldn't be tired tomorrow."

(Next Morning, Mario Galaxy)

Moon, Sarah, and Paula all carefully walked around a weird shaped hill, you could see little huts and bases of trees with some multi-colored flowers along a cement walkway and other stuff nonetheless. The area above them was a clear night sky.

"This place is based on Rosalina's Comet Observatory." Moon said. "Mario once had to travel the galaxy using this ship to rescue Princess Peach. This ship is the primary home of Rosalina, the Mother of the Lumas-" he was cut off as some fancy white feathers landed on the three of them. He brushed one off and into his hand and looked at carefully.

"Shit, it's angelboy." he muttered.

An angel similar to Dark Pit, only with brown hair and red eyes landed in front of the three of them. He broke apart his staff sword and braced himself for an attack.

"There's more than one." Sarah said.

A woman with tannish blonde hair, a silver crown, and a long black gown floated down next to Pit, she carried a silver wand with a star on it. A living fluffy looking star with innocent looking eyes appeared in front of her.

"Rosalina and Pit." Moon said to Paula and Sarah. "Let's get this over with."

Pit flew towards the three of them spinning his two blades around. Moon separated from the two of them and telekinetically forced Pit over towards him.

"You two take of Rosalina and Luma." he called. "Don't feel bad about taking out the Luma either." he added, noticing the look of concern on Paula's face. "Here in the Imperium Cluster, it just regenerates in a different color after a while, even if it didn't, there's billions of other Luma's, they'll do anything to protect Rosalina so it won't go down easily."

Paula and Sarah nodded and turned their attention towards the woman. Moon then turned to look at Pit, he drew out Saphria and braced himself. Pit gilded towards him at a swift speed with his arm being surrounded by some sort of weird red pummeling fists. He quickly hopped out of the way and used Saphria to swing around and kick the angel across the face.

Pit swords reattached together and he pulled back a short string of light, an arrow of blue light appeared and he launched it at Moon, who used Saphria to slice the arrow in half. He used PK Earth summon a knight statue made out of amethyst. The statue charged at Pit slicing him across the chest. Pit growled in pain and used his upperdash arm to launch him into the air.

Moon felt himself stay in the air thanks to his levitation. Pit flew up to him flapping his angel wings and knocking another light arrow. Quickly thinking he threw Saphria at the angel. He knocked the bow out and called Saphria back with his telekinesis. When the sword re-entered his grasp, it started glowing brightly.

"Master Wolfe, as you know, Pit's power of flight comes from Palutena, however, it is temporary. If you could stall time in the air, you could potentially cheese him out!"

Pit glided at him again with his upperdash arm out. This time, instead of an uppercut, he swung it down. The arm smacked Moon over the head and shot him into the ground.

"So much for that," he muttered. He heaved himself up and used Lifeup to heal himself. The second he gathered his senses he felt a heavy stab of cold metal go through his back. He let out a hiss turned to face the angel. He launched his blue PK Fire attack. Pit quickly put out his hands and a shield appeared, the flames hit the shield and shot back at him. He quickly ducked out of the way as the fire shot back and across the stage, however, the flames ended up hitting Sarah.

Moon turned to face Pit again, this time, he was furious, he used PK Earth again, this time, the Earth's surface wrapped itself around the angel, binding him in place. Pit tried to flap his wings, but the rocks clamped down around them. Moon stormed up to the held down angel.

"I've had just about enough of you." he hissed.

"MOON!"

He froze in place.

"Moon? What the hell are you doing?"

Next to the angel, a girl wearing an olive green sweater with a white skirt appeared. She had curly, flaming red hair and soft green eyes.

"O-Ol-Olive?"

"Moon...what are you doing? This isn't right...it's not right! Moon! I know you! Stop it! Stop it now! Moon!"

For a moment, all the negativity vanished, all his frustration, all his anger, it just...disappeared?"

"Just relax...everything will be okay." this time, the voice was not a girl, this time a boy's.

"What the? This isn't supposed to-" the voice was suddenly cut off. Moon blinked back into reality. The rocks were still holding down Pit, he stepped away and rubbed his head. The rocks retracted and pit charged at him again.

KA-BOOM!

An explosion went off underneath Pit's feet, hurling him into the air the angel fell to the ground with a thud.

"OH NO!" A rather weird female voice gasped. A bipedal dog the Shih Tzu breed, she had blonde fur and little black pupil eyes. A red scrunchie, was tied at the top of her head, giving her a weird type of ponytail. She wore a white undershirt with a plaid green vest and blue skirt. She dashed to the side of the angel and started shaking him.

"Um...what the hell just happened?" Sarah asked as she approached Moon's side. "We took care of Rosalina, and we turn around to...this? Should we stop the dog?"

"No, No need." Moon said. "This is Fighter number 68, the mayor's assistant, Isabelle. She's from the Oppidum cluster, she serves as the secretary and assistant to Villager, the mayor, he competes in Smash as well. Most notable thing I can say about her is that she has 19 engineering degrees."

"She doesn't look like someone well suited for fighting." Paula said.

"That would be because...she isn't." Moon said. "To her, this is nothing more than a fun party game. Honestly, the fact that she applied for this stuns me. Anyway, based on everything the Demonrift says about her...Isabelle has purity."

"Seriously?" Sarah asked in shock.

"Yep, she's the definition of innocence." Moon said. "Let's just...get her to safety."

"Pit...oh no oh no...Pit...I'm so sorry. I buried that Loid rocket to alert me to any of the villains I didn't know that you were looking for me."

"Hey, Isabelle." Sarah said. "You didn't do anything wrong...Pit is under mind control...we're going to help fix him...just please let us do our thing...you aren't in trouble."

Isabelle looked at them, she formed a big smile. "Oh, thank god!" she said in a cheerful voice. "Thank you for helping him and us."

"See what I mean...completely innocent." Moon whispered.

Moon and Sarah placed both of their hands on Pit's arms after a moment of silence the angel blinked and shook his head. Upon seeing them the angel's eyes widened in horror, but before he could say anything.

"Sorry, but we don't have time to listen to you complain." Moon snapped. "Later Angelboy!"

An orange portal opened below Pit and he fell through the portal.

"Don't worry, I just sent him to Skyworld...I'm really tired and honestly don't have time to listen to him complain...Now...Paula, Isabelle, do me a favor and stand next to Rosalina."

Both girls obeyed and stood on either side while Moon and Sarah placed their hands on her arms. After a minute, they removed their hands and walked away. The woman blinked and shook her head.

"Wait I have several-"

"No time to explain, later!" Another portal opened below the three of them and they fell through. The portal closed and Moon turned to face Sarah.

"Why'd you send them back?" Sarah asked.

"Olive...she spoke to me...and then...someone...someone tried something...I wonder if?"

Moon felt awkward energy from amongst a set of trees. He brushed through the bushes behind them was a boy with raven black hair, he wore a silver studded mask across his face. He wore a black robe with a weird cape or jacket across it. He wore red gloves across his hands. He appeared to be unconscious.

"Oh shit." Moon said in panic. "Fighter number 71, The Phantom Thief of Hearts. Akira, Aka Joker, he's a highschool student who uses a mystical power called Persona. Honestly, from what I've gathered, he's a vigilante that invades a subconscious world to stop negative and violent thoughts that flow to others. He gives others pure hearts...so...not technically a villain. I think he could feel all the negativity that our dark sides emit, so he tried to purify my heart."

"Why does he have a knife and a gun?" Sarah asked.

"Protection when he doesn't have access to his Persona...I think...this is what I get for trying to implement another main character who I know nothing about."

"Um...Moon." Sarah said nervously. "You may want to look at this." she pointed to something in one of his shirt pocket. It was a photo, it showed him, alongside what looked to be an older Ness and Paula.

Moon looked at the photo and his face became pale.

"Akira...Akira Starr." Moon said. "Oh fuck...we're gonna be in lot of trouble now."

"I'm sure we'll be fine...he's always appreciated our gags in the past...this is probably alright."

"Let's hope...because lord knows we're going to really mess some shit up with this one."

"Let's just hope Sapphire and Willow didn't mention anything to him about us…"

"Who are we kidding...they definitely told him something."

"Welp, let's figure out what we're going to do with this, we might as well try to learn something about this...hang on a second...isn't Joker supposed to be from an entirely different cluster in our lore?"

"Not anymore apparently...let's just hope Sapphire is okay with us nearly killing his son."

Well, that chapter certainly came out of nowhere, Rosalina, Isabelle, Pit, and Joker in one chapter certainly took a lot out of me. I'm not super familiar with Persona, but I made sure I did some research on the game and the explanation provided was what I could gathered. Knowing how Moon and Sarah's dark sides functioned, I could imagine Joker trying something like this should he meet someone like Moon and Sarah, now, as for why I chose his manga name over his canon game name...here's an explanation.

So, I should probably explain myself very quickly, because some of you probably don't understand the deal with Sapphire and Willow. I don't own these two characters, they belong to a fellow writer PhoenixClaw2128. During the production of Bound By Earth, I stumbled across a story called Bound By Our Hearts, this was essentially another Earthbound Retelling with original characters, I'd argue the Phoenix and I grew pretty close during our respective stories production and throughout both, we made constant pokes and gags at each other. I recommend you check out his stories as well, they're really good.

Anyway, while the story hasn't been posted yet due too his other stories, he did have a sequel planned for BBOH called Bound By Our Desires, this is supposed to be an EarthboundxPersona story where Joker is the son of Sapphire and Willow...whenever it's posted is unknown, but I thought it'd be pretty funny to just throw this little Easter egg in here for the duration of this story, and, I might as well spoil it, but at the end of this story, I have plans for Joker to take Moon and Sarah to see these two again...hopefully Phoenix is okay with all this.

Also bit of teaser for next chapter, BBOH/BBOD isn't the only story to get a cameo in here. I have one more story with three characters who are going to be getting a bit of a role as well...let's just say that...Moon and Sarah are going to meet some old friends from another story of mine.